Jim Lane is a gent I have gotten to know, and really hit the nail on the head in a recent post in his blog:
http://gbqueue.com/2011/06/08/lane-career-coaching-columbus/
The short story is that for the graduate or soon to be graduate to achieve their goals:
- Begin with the end in mind. What do you want to do? Be? Achieve?
- Create the vision of the type of person that can acheive these goals
- Update your resume' / CV with all the talents and experience you bring
- Identify gaps between your talents and skills, and the talents and skills of the person who can achieve the goals you set out to achieve
- Develop a plan to close these gaps and execute
Sounds easy, right?
Not so much. One of the most difficult things to do is to discipline yourself to do what is really needed to be done to accomplish what we say we want to accomplish. Instead, our tendency is to compromise our goals and vision a little at a time in exchange for short term satisfaction. Then, after twenty years of compromises, we realize we are far away from where we intended to be.
This doesn't only apply to graduates, but to people in all walks of life. No matter where you are, decide where you want to be and apply the framework above.
It is truly remarkable what we can accomplish when we set our minds and energies to it.
Thursday, June 16, 2011
Monday, June 13, 2011
How To Prep for An Interview: Basics for College Grads and Interns
I just completed interviewing and hiring for three entry level recruiter positions. The candidates I interviewed were generally fresh college graduates with intern or other light experience. I reviewed dozens of resume's, conducted phone screens on sixteen (16) candidates, interviewed six candidates, and extended three offers. Of the sixteen, at least 10 had the skills to do the job.
On one hand, I was generally impressed with the level of talent available. It has been a long time since I have been in a position to bring new blood into the industry, and frankly, since I know so few folks under 30 years old, it was a long overdue visit to this candidate segment. I found there are a lot of bright people out there, and with a little shaping, they can become our next generation of leaders and high performers.
On the other hand, this potential will go to waste if the candidate can't get past an interview. In this sample, only four of the candidates interviewed with reasonable competence, and I imagine that only half of them even understood what they were doing. That means that 60% to 80% of the talent capable of doing the job, won't get the job.
What a waste of potential!
Here are some interview do's and don'ts for college grads and entry level talent as they seek to land that first job:
DO dress well and look good. Make sure your clothes fit, are neat and clean, and ironed. One of my candidates looked like he just rolled out of bed.
DO have a notepad and pen for taking notes during the interview, and to have your list of questions ready for the interviewer (trust me, you will likely forget to ask them if you don't). It amazed me how many candidates did not take notes.
DON'T think that you need to know answers to absolutely everything. The interviewer knows they are hiring a person new to their company and industry. I could tell the candidates nervous with their answers. Relax. Part of the interview is watching how you perform under pressure.
DO answer questions in a thoughtful, articulate manner. No simple "yes" or "no" answers. "Yes, I have done something quite similar. Let me tell you about it..." or "No. However, I have faced similar situations, and here is how I have handled them...".
DON'T believe you will be hired for simply because you "get along with people and are likable", are good looking, and are a hard worker. You look and sound like the previous five hundred graduates I have talked to. Tell me something different about why you will be successful and why you are able to do the job. I want to see how you can think on your feet.
DO have questions ready for the interviewer. Ask about the company and the job. What is it like to work there? What do they like about the company? What does an entry level person do? What will it take to excel in this job? Then, be ready to illustrate how you fit that description.
DON'T overly emphasize your college activities. It's great that you were an athelete or head of your sorority, but I want to know how you've been able to relate to working adults and be successful with them. Like me.
DON'T bring up pay in the first interview unless the interviewer brings it up. Even then, indicate you are flexible on pay and more focused on joining a solid company. You don't want pay to opt you out early in the interview process.
DO be honest about where you are in your job seeking process.If you are asked, "are you ready to accept a formal offer if one is presented?", then answer honestly. If you have other positions you want to explore, or aren't quite ready to make a decision, that's fine - I am OK with it. Really, I am! o
There are probably a few more do's and don'ts, but these are ones that immediately come to mind, and what led to second interviews and offers.
Good luck and happy hunting!
On one hand, I was generally impressed with the level of talent available. It has been a long time since I have been in a position to bring new blood into the industry, and frankly, since I know so few folks under 30 years old, it was a long overdue visit to this candidate segment. I found there are a lot of bright people out there, and with a little shaping, they can become our next generation of leaders and high performers.
On the other hand, this potential will go to waste if the candidate can't get past an interview. In this sample, only four of the candidates interviewed with reasonable competence, and I imagine that only half of them even understood what they were doing. That means that 60% to 80% of the talent capable of doing the job, won't get the job.
What a waste of potential!
Here are some interview do's and don'ts for college grads and entry level talent as they seek to land that first job:
DO dress well and look good. Make sure your clothes fit, are neat and clean, and ironed. One of my candidates looked like he just rolled out of bed.
DO have a notepad and pen for taking notes during the interview, and to have your list of questions ready for the interviewer (trust me, you will likely forget to ask them if you don't). It amazed me how many candidates did not take notes.
DON'T think that you need to know answers to absolutely everything. The interviewer knows they are hiring a person new to their company and industry. I could tell the candidates nervous with their answers. Relax. Part of the interview is watching how you perform under pressure.
DO answer questions in a thoughtful, articulate manner. No simple "yes" or "no" answers. "Yes, I have done something quite similar. Let me tell you about it..." or "No. However, I have faced similar situations, and here is how I have handled them...".
DON'T believe you will be hired for simply because you "get along with people and are likable", are good looking, and are a hard worker. You look and sound like the previous five hundred graduates I have talked to. Tell me something different about why you will be successful and why you are able to do the job. I want to see how you can think on your feet.
DO have questions ready for the interviewer. Ask about the company and the job. What is it like to work there? What do they like about the company? What does an entry level person do? What will it take to excel in this job? Then, be ready to illustrate how you fit that description.
DON'T overly emphasize your college activities. It's great that you were an athelete or head of your sorority, but I want to know how you've been able to relate to working adults and be successful with them. Like me.
DON'T bring up pay in the first interview unless the interviewer brings it up. Even then, indicate you are flexible on pay and more focused on joining a solid company. You don't want pay to opt you out early in the interview process.
DO be honest about where you are in your job seeking process.If you are asked, "are you ready to accept a formal offer if one is presented?", then answer honestly. If you have other positions you want to explore, or aren't quite ready to make a decision, that's fine - I am OK with it. Really, I am! o
There are probably a few more do's and don'ts, but these are ones that immediately come to mind, and what led to second interviews and offers.
Good luck and happy hunting!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
